10 Best Free Time Tracking Software Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 14 tools reviewed.
Struggling to manage your team’s time tracking on a budget? That’s where free time tracking software comes in. It helps you keep an eye on what matters, without breaking the bank.
In my experience, finding the right tool can make a world of difference in managing your team’s productivity. I’ve tested and reviewed several options to bring you an unbiased look at the best free time tracking software out there.
In this article, you’ll discover the top tools, learn what sets them apart, and find out which one fits your needs. Let’s dive in and tackle those time management challenges together.
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Best Free Time Tracking Software Summary
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top free time tracking software selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.
| Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best for automatic time tracking | Free plan + free demo available | From $2.99/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 2 | Best for solo freelancers | 30-day free trial + free plan available | From $9/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 3 | Best for project management | Free plan & 14-day trial available | From $8/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 4 | Best for unlimited users | Free plan + free demo available | From $5.49/seat/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 5 | Best for attendance tracking | Free plan available | From $3.50/user/month | Website | |
| 6 | Best for team collaboration | Free plan available | From $3.75/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 7 | Best for invoicing integration | 30-day free trial + freemium plan available | From $11/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 8 | Best for freelancers | Not available | Free forever plan | Website | |
| 9 | Best for minimal setup | Free plan available | From $5/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 10 | Best for simplicity | Free plan available | From $10/month | Website |
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Zoho Projects
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.2 -
monday.com
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.6 -
Smartsheet
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.4
Best Free Time Tracking Software Review
Below are my detailed summaries of the best free time tracking software that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a detailed look at the key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the best one for you.
TimeCamp is a time tracking tool designed for businesses that want to automate time management. It's useful for teams looking to accurately track time without manual input.
Why I picked TimeCamp: It offers automatic time tracking, which reduces the need for manual entries and helps in capturing time spent on tasks accurately. You can categorize time entries to better understand how time is allocated across projects. The tool's reporting features provide insights into productivity, allowing you to make informed decisions. With its interface, your team can start tracking time with minimal setup.
Standout Features & Integrations
Features include the ability to track time offline, so no hours are lost when internet access is unavailable. You can set up billable and non-billable hours to manage project budgets. TimeCamp also offers invoicing features, making it easier to bill clients directly from the platform.
Integrations include Trello, Asana, Slack, Jira, monday.com, QuickBooks, Xero, Dropbox, Google Calendar, and Evernote.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Categorize time entries
- Invoicing from the platform
- Offline tracking capabilities
Cons:
- Many basic features are locked behind paid tier
- Limited mobile app features
Toggl Track is a time tracking tool designed for freelancers who need to manage their time. It offers features that help users track their work hours and analyze productivity.
Why I picked Toggl Track: This tool provides an interface that’s good for solo freelancers. You can start tracking time, making it easier to capture each billable hour. Toggl Track's reporting features give you insights into your work patterns, helping you optimize your schedule. Its flexibility allows you to track time across different devices, so you can work from anywhere.
Standout Features & Integrations
Features include detailed reporting that lets you analyze your productivity over time. You can set up reminders so you don't forget to track your time. The tool also offers a Pomodoro timer to help you maintain focus and improve efficiency.
Integrations include Asana, Trello, Slack, Google Calendar, Jira, Todoist, Basecamp, Evernote, GitHub, and QuickBooks.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Detailed productivity reports
- Pomodoro timer included
- Cross-device compatibility
Cons:
- Not suited to large-scale professional use
- No invoicing features
My Hours is a time tracking software tailored for teams to manage project time and improve profitability. It supports key functions like project tracking and client billing, making it ideal for project management needs.
Why I picked My Hours: This tool works in project management by offering features that allow you to track project profitability and manage billing. You can delegate tasks in real-time, so everyone knows their responsibilities. The software's ability to calculate costs for each employee helps in maintaining clear financial oversight. Its user-friendly design means your team can focus on work without getting bogged down by complex systems.
Standout Features & Integrations
Features include customizable hourly rates, which let you adjust billing as needed. The platform also provides detailed reporting capabilities, so you can easily analyze time and expenses. Additionally, its absence management feature keeps track of team availability.
Integrations include QuickBooks, Trello, Asana, Slack, Zapier, Google Calendar, Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Xero, and Basecamp.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Customizable hourly rates
- Real-time task delegation
- Easy project profitability tracking
Cons:
- Limited mobile features
- No offline access
Clockify is a free time tracking software for teams of all sizes. It helps manage time by allowing users to track hours across projects and tasks.
Why I picked Clockify: This tool offers unlimited users, making it a great choice for growing teams. You can track time manually or use the timer feature for more precise tracking. The reporting feature provides insights into where time is spent. Its project management capabilities also allow you to set budgets and monitor progress.
Standout Features & Integrations
Features include a dashboard that provides a quick overview of your team's activities and timesheets for detailed time logging. You can also set reminders to ensure that everyone tracks their time consistently. The app is available on multiple platforms, so your team can track time from anywhere.
Integrations include Asana, Trello, Jira, monday.com, Slack, QuickBooks, FreshBooks, Zapier, Google Calendar, and Outlook.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Set reminders for time tracking
- Available on multiple platforms
- Unlimited users on the free plan
Cons:
- No invoicing in the free plan
- Limited customization options
Jibble is a time tracking software designed for businesses that need accurate attendance records. It's ideal for industries to track employee hours and attendance.
Why I picked Jibble: This tool works in attendance tracking with features like facial recognition and GPS tracking to ensure accurate time logs. You can track employee hours in real-time and generate timesheets automatically. Jibble's mobile app lets your team clock in and out from anywhere, which is useful for remote work. Its reporting tools help you analyze attendance patterns and improve workforce management.
Standout Features & Integrations
Features include timesheet approvals, which allow managers to review and approve hours worked. You can also set up overtime rules to manage extra hours automatically. The tool provides detailed analytics, helping you make informed decisions about staffing needs.
Integrations include Slack, Microsoft Teams, QuickBooks, Xero, Asana, Trello, monday.com, Google Calendar, Zapier, and Gusto.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Overtime rules management
- Automatic timesheet generation
- Facial recognition for clock-ins
Cons:
- No invoicing capabilities
- Requires internet for use
TrackingTime is a time tracking tool designed for businesses that need to manage team projects and collaboration. It's good for teams looking to monitor time spent on tasks and projects.
Why I picked TrackingTime: This tool is for team collaboration, with features like shared project timelines and team activity dashboards. You can assign tasks and track progress in real-time, so everyone is aligned. TrackingTime's visual reports make it easy to analyze team performance and improve processes.
Standout Features & Integrations
Features include the ability to track time directly from your browser, making it convenient for remote teams. You can also generate detailed timesheets to review hours worked and improve project billing. The tool offers project budgeting features to help you keep track of costs and resources.
Integrations include Asana, Trello, Slack, Jira, Google Calendar, Microsoft Teams, Zapier, Basecamp, Evernote, and monday.com.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Project budgeting features
- Real-time task tracking
- Shared project timelines
Cons:
- Lacking compliance features
- Free plan is limited to a maximum of three users
Harvest is a time tracking and invoicing tool designed for businesses that need to manage projects and billing. It's tailored for teams looking to track time, expenses, and generate invoices all in one place.
Why I picked Harvest: This tool integrates time tracking with invoicing, making it good for businesses that need to manage billing alongside project hours. You can track time on tasks and convert those hours into invoices with just a few clicks. Harvest's reporting tools provide insights into your projects' profitability, helping you make informed decisions.
Standout Features & Integrations
Features include expense tracking, which lets you manage project costs. You can set up automatic reminders, so your team tracks time consistently. The tool also offers detailed project reports to help you analyze time and expenses across all projects.
Integrations include Asana, Trello, Slack, QuickBooks, Xero, Google Calendar, Basecamp, Jira, Zapier, and GitHub.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Automatic reminders for time tracking
- Expense tracking capabilities
- Invoicing integration with time tracking
Cons:
- Requires internet for full functionality
- Limited customization for reports
TopTracker is a time tracking tool specifically designed for freelancers who need to manage their work hours. It provides detailed insights into time spent on tasks, helping freelancers with their productivity.
Why I picked TopTracker: It offers features tailored for freelancers, such as activity level tracking and screenshot capturing to monitor progress. You can track time without intrusive monitoring, which respects your privacy. The tool's customizable reports help you analyze your work patterns and make informed decisions. Its simple interface ensures you can focus on your projects without getting distracted by the software itself.
Standout Features & Integrations
Features include full privacy control, allowing you to decide what data to share with clients. You can track time across multiple devices, ensuring flexibility in how and where you work. The tool also offers detailed productivity reports.
Integrations include Asana, Trello, Slack, Google Calendar, Jira, Basecamp, Evernote, Microsoft Teams, QuickBooks, and Zapier.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Cross-device compatibility
- Customizable reports
- Activity level tracking
Cons:
- No advanced activity tracking
- Limited to desktop or web application
TimeTrace is a time tracking tool designed for small businesses and freelancers who need an easy-to-use solution. It focuses on time tracking and project management.
Why I picked TimeTrace: The tool requires minimal setup, allowing you to start tracking time without a lengthy onboarding process. You can manage projects and tasks with straightforward navigation, so you spend more time working and less time managing the tool. TimeTrace's simple reporting features provide insights into how time is spent across different projects. Its user-friendly design means that even those with limited technical skills can use it.
Standout Features & Integrations
Features include automatic time tracking, which captures time spent on tasks without manual input. The tool also offers project and task management, helping you keep everything organized in one place. You can generate simple reports to analyze your productivity and identify areas for improvement.
Integrations include Asana, Trello, Slack, Google Calendar, Jira, Basecamp, Evernote, Microsoft Teams, QuickBooks, and Zapier.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Minimal technical skills required
- Simple project management
- Automatic time tracking
Cons:
- Limited to integration with Google Calendar
- iPhone only access, not compatible with Android
Simple Time Tracker is a straightforward time tracking tool designed for individuals and small teams who value minimalism. It helps users track time spent on tasks, projects, and clients without unnecessary complexity.
Why I picked Simple Time Tracker: This tool is all about simplicity, offering a user-friendly interface for time tracking. You can track time with one click and view a structured list of tasks to prioritize your work. The app syncs across devices in real-time, so your data is up-to-date. Its lack of overcomplicated options means you spend less time figuring out the tool and more time focusing on your work.
Standout Features & Integrations
Features include real-time syncing across devices, so your data is current no matter where you track from. You can manage tasks with a simple list view, helping you prioritize. The tool also offers mobile and desktop apps, providing flexibility in how you track your time.
Integrations include Google Calendar, Trello, Asana, Slack, Jira, monday.com, Basecamp, QuickBooks, Xero, and Zapier.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Minimalistic design
- Mobile and desktop apps
- Real-time data sync
Cons:
- Timers require manual start/stop
- No invoicing capabilities
Other Free Time Tracking Software
Here are some additional free time tracking software options that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:
- Deltek Replicon Time
For compliance tracking
- QuickBooks Time
For payroll integration
- Everhour
For budget management
- Apploye
For remote team monitoring
Free Time Tracking Software Selection Criteria
When selecting the best free time tracking software to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like ease of use and integration capabilities. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Track time spent on tasks
- Generate timesheets
- Provide basic reporting
- Allow manual and automatic time tracking
- Support multiple projects
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- GPS location tracking
- Facial recognition clock-ins
- Advanced reporting capabilities
- Integration with accounting software
- Customizable user permissions
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Intuitive user interface
- Easy navigation
- Minimal learning curve
- Responsive design across devices
- Clear and concise instructions
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Availability of training videos
- Interactive product tours
- Access to templates
- Webinars for new users
- Supportive chatbots
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- 24/7 support availability
- Live chat options
- Comprehensive knowledge base
- Responsive email support
- Community forums
Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Competitive pricing
- Features offered in free plan
- Flexibility of pricing tiers
- Discounts for annual billing
- Cost versus feature set
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- Overall user satisfaction
- Commonly reported issues
- Praise for specific features
- Feedback on customer service
- Frequency of updates and improvements
How to Choose Free Time Tracking Software
It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. To help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process, here’s a checklist of factors to keep in mind:
| Factor | What to Consider |
| Scalability | Will the software grow with your team? Consider if it supports unlimited users or projects, and if scaling up comes with additional costs. |
| Integrations | Does it connect with your existing tools? Check if it integrates with your project management, accounting, or communication tools to avoid disrupting workflows. |
| Customizability | Can you tailor it to fit your needs? Look for options to customize reports, dashboards, and user permissions to match your workflow. |
| Ease of use | Is the interface intuitive? Ensure that the tool is easy to navigate and doesn't require extensive training, so your team can start using it immediately. |
| Implementation and onboarding | How quickly can you get started? Evaluate the availability of training resources, such as tutorials or guides, to help your team get up to speed quickly. |
| Cost | What are the total costs? Beyond the free plan, consider the pricing structure for paid plans, any hidden fees, and discounts for annual billing. |
| Security safeguards | How secure is your data? Investigate the software's data protection measures, such as encryption and compliance with data regulations, to ensure your information is safe. |
| Support availability | When do you need help? Check if customer support is available 24/7 or during your business hours, and through what channels (e.g., chat, email, phone) to ensure you can get assistance when needed. |
What Is Free Time Tracking Software?
Free time tracking software is a tool that helps individuals and teams monitor the time spent on tasks and projects without incurring costs. Typically used by freelancers, project managers, and small businesses, these tools provide insights into productivity and help manage workloads efficiently. Features like time logging, reporting, and invoicing support users in tracking hours, analyzing data, and billing clients. Overall, these tools offer valuable insights into how time is spent, aiding in better project management and increased efficiency.
Features of Free Time Tracking Software
When selecting free time tracking software, keep an eye out for the following key features:
- Time logging: Allows users to record hours spent on tasks, providing insights into productivity.
- Reporting: Generates reports to analyze time usage and helps in making data-driven decisions.
- Invoicing: Converts tracked hours into invoices, simplifying the billing process for clients.
- Project management: Organizes tasks and projects to keep teams aligned and on track.
- Integration capabilities: Connects with other tools like accounting and project management software for workflows.
- Customizable dashboards: Offers personalized views to match individual or team needs for better focus.
- Mobile access: Enables time tracking on-the-go, ensuring flexibility and convenience.
- Expense tracking: Monitors project costs to ensure budgets are adhered to and managed effectively.
- Automatic reminders: Prompt users to log time, reducing the chances of forgetting to track hours.
- Privacy controls: Provides options to manage data visibility, ensuring user privacy is maintained.
Benefits of Free Time Tracking Software
Implementing free time tracking software provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:
- Improved productivity: By tracking time spent on tasks, you can identify inefficiencies and optimize workflows.
- Better project management: Organizing tasks and projects helps keep your team aligned and on track with deadlines.
- Accurate billing: Invoicing features ensure that clients are billed correctly for the hours worked, reducing discrepancies.
- Cost management: Expense tracking keeps project costs in check, helping you stay within budget.
- Enhanced flexibility: Mobile access allows your team to track time wherever they are, ensuring convenience and adaptability.
- Data-driven insights: Reporting features provide valuable insights into how time is spent, aiding in decision-making.
- Increased accountability: Automatic reminders ensure that time logging is consistent, promoting responsibility among team members.
Costs and Pricing of Free Time Tracking Software
Selecting free time tracking software requires an understanding of the various pricing models and plans available. Costs vary based on features, team size, add-ons, and more. The table below summarizes common plans, their average prices, and typical features included in free time tracking software solutions:
Plan Comparison Table for Free Time Tracking Software
| Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
| Free Plan | $0 | Basic time tracking, simple reporting, and limited integrations. |
| Personal Plan | $5-$15/user/month | Enhanced reporting, mobile access, project management, and basic invoicing. |
| Business Plan | $15-$30/user/month | Advanced reporting, expense tracking, multiple integrations, and customizable dashboards. |
| Enterprise Plan | $30-$50/user/month | Full feature access, priority support, advanced security options, and dedicated account management. |
Free Time Tracking Software FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about free time tracking software:
Is free time tracking software secure?
Most free time tracking software includes essential protections designed to keep your information safe. When choosing a time tracking app, check whether it follows standards like GDPR or CCPA and whether it uses encryption and secure authentication to protect time tracking data. It also helps to review how the provider stores user information and what access controls are offered. If security is a top priority, you may want to compare free tools with paid plans that offer enhanced safeguards.
Can free time tracking software be used offline?
Some tools offer offline timekeeping, while others require an internet connection. If you work remotely or travel often, look for a web app or browser extension that can track how much time you spend on tasks and sync automatically when you reconnect. Always test the offline mode so you know it fits your workflow before relying on it for client work or internal time reporting.
Do free time tracking tools integrate with other software?
Many options connect with project management tools and accounting platforms so teams can centralize their time tracking data. Integrations with apps like Asana, Trello, QuickBooks, or other team management systems can reduce manual entry and improve accuracy. If you rely on billable rates or need to pull reports across unlimited projects, verify that the software supports the specific time tracking features you need.
Are there limitations to using free time tracking software?
Free versions often include limits on users, integrations, or reporting features. They can still work well for individuals or small teams, especially when paired with a Chrome extension or employee monitoring tools that track how much time is spent on tasks. As your workload grows, you may find that upgrading to one of the best time tracking software options is worthwhile for advanced time reporting, expanded time off management, and more detailed insights.
What’s Next:
If you're in the process of researching free time tracking software, connect with a SoftwareSelect advisor for free recommendations.
You fill out a form and have a quick chat where they get into the specifics of your needs. Then you'll get a shortlist of software to review. They'll even support you through the entire buying process, including price negotiations.
